James Hetfield (b. 1963)

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Biography

James Alan Hetfield is an American musician. He is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, co-founder, and a primary songwriter of heavy metal band Metallica. He is mainly known for his raspy voice and intricate rhythm playing, but occasionally performs lead guitar duties and solos both live and in studio. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering an advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler. Metallica has won 10 Grammy Awards and released 11 studio albums, three live albums, four extended plays, and 24 singles. Hetfield is often regarded as one of the greatest rhythm guitar players of all time.

In Their Own Words (5)

All the drinking and all the other junk that I was stuck in... It was so predictable. So boring. I wake up the next day - somewhere, in some bed, I don't know who this person is next to me... and I'm drunk, competely hung over and have a show to do. The result is the same... When life now is pretty... exciting. You don't know what's gonna happen.

Some Kind of Monster, 2003 - Talking about his addictions and big changes. , 2003

Lars would talk his way into their pants. Kirk had a babyface that was appealing to the girls. And Cliff; he had a big dick. Word got around about that, I guess.

Playboy April 2001. , 2001

It had to be something real bad. I think he stole music online.

Asked what the narrator in "Ride The Lightning" did to earn the death penalty

If I hadn't have had music in my life, it's quite possible I could be in here. Or nor even in here, be dead — and I'd much rather be alive.

at St Quentin, during the videoshoot for St Anger

Everybody is born good and everybody has got the same size soul. We're here to connect with that.

at St Quentin during the videoshoot for St Anger

Timeline

The story of James Hetfield, told in moments.

1981 Event

Founds Metallica with Danish drummer Lars Ulrich after answering a newspaper ad in the LA Recycler. They recruit Dave Mustaine on guitar and Ron McGovney on bass. The band plays its first show to a handful of people.

Answering a newspaper ad and finding Lars Ulrich. Was that luck? First show to a handful of people. Did you already know?

1986 Event

Master of Puppets is released. Many consider it the greatest thrash metal album ever made. Three months later, the band's tour bus flips in Sweden. Bassist Cliff Burton is thrown from his bunk and crushed. He's 24.

Greatest thrash metal album, then Cliff crushed under the bus. How do you continue? Three months from Master of Puppets to Cliff's death. Did the joy survive?

1991 Event

The Black Album drops. "Enter Sandman," "Nothing Else Matters," "The Unforgiven." It sells 16 million copies in the U.S. alone. Old fans say Metallica sold out. New fans outnumber them 10 to 1.

'Enter Sandman' and 16 million copies. Did 'selling out' sting? Old fans versus new fans. Which side were you on?

2001 Event

Enters rehab for alcoholism, putting Metallica on hold for a year. The process is documented in the film Some Kind of Monster, which also captures the band's near-breakup during therapy sessions with a $40,000-a-month performance coach.

Rehab, documented on camera. Was that vulnerable or exhibitionist? A $40,000-a-month performance coach. Did therapy save the band?